Leading Greek-Americans Explain Why Hellenic Excellence Throughout History May Result From The Uniquely Greek Word “Philotimo”

Arianna Huffington,George Stephanopoulos, Bob Costas and Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America Demetrios are among the nationally-known Greek-Americans who appear in video titled The Greek Secret produced by Manatos & Manatos for the Washington Oxi Day Foundation. The video suggests that the secret to extraordinary Hellenic excellence — personally and as a people — may spring from the uniquely Greek word philotimo.

This video features interviews with 29 leading Hellenes who each share their definition of a concept that only the Greek language has one word to describe: philotimo. Those interviewed defined philotimo as not only the “love of honor” but also as finding pleasure in sacrificing for: the good of others; doing the right thing; improving themselves and their families; and seeking to achieve respect and love from others.

The Foundation and many of those interviewed believe that “philotimo” may in great part explain the Greeks’ spectacular achievements throughout history, as well as their close family and community relationships. The video highlights such Hellenic achievements as: the miraculous leap forward that the ancient Greeks brought to humankind’s standard of living and freedom; Greece being identified by America, Great Britain and Russia as the only other country essential to the defeat of Hitler; the Greeks’ unsurpassed response to the Holocaust; and Hellenes alone in America’s 20th century rising from universal, uneducated poverty to ranking among the top in education and income.

In the first two days after its release, it had received over 100,000 views. One week after its release, it received over one quarter of a million views. Five days after its release, Greece’s Prime Minister Samaras made this subject a prominent part of his major speech to the nation.